AUGUSTA, Maine — Conservation officials are offering grants to Maine schools to plant trees on school grounds as part of the 2011 Arbor Week celebration and to give recognition to Maine’s forest industry.

The Maine Forest Service’s community forestry program, Project Canopy, is awarding 20 grants of up to $1,000 each. Participating schools can use the grant money to purchase one or several trees that can be dedicated to Arbor Week or to an individual who is significant to the school.

The application deadline is April 29. The projects will be acknowledged as part of the Maine Forest Service’s annual Arbor Week celebration from May 16 to 20.

Funding for the program comes from the USDA Forest Service-Urban and Community Forestry Program and corporate sponsors.